Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is back with a much-talked-about feature: the physical rotating bezel. For many, this addition has been a defining trait of Samsung’s smartwatch lineup.
But in my opinion, this bezel is more of a hindrance than a highlight. Let’s explore why.
The rotating bezel made its debut on the Galaxy Gear S2 back in 2015. At the time, it was hailed as a groundbreaking feature. As one reviewer put it, it was “elegant, convenient, and superior” to anything else on the market. This innovation found its way into subsequent models, such as the Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. But over the years, Samsung started to drop it, only to bring it back periodically, with the latest return seen on the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic. What’s going on here?
There’s no denying the rotating bezel’s legacy, but I argue that it’s an outdated design element, poorly suited to modern smartwatches. While some people swear by it, others, like me, find it bulky, laggy, and unnecessary. But before diving into the specifics, let’s look at why it’s been removed and reintroduced over the years.
Design and Aesthetics
In 2022, when Samsung removed the rotating bezel from the Galaxy Watch 5, it was clear that the company was moving toward a more minimalist design. Competing directly with the Apple Watch, which didn’t feature such a bulky element, Samsung likely viewed the bezel as an old-school feature that clashed with its sleek, modern design goals. Smartwatches were beginning to shed the legacy of traditional timepieces, and the rotating bezel, with its chunky presence, just didn’t fit the narrative anymore.
For me, this makes sense. The rotating bezel originally came from diving watches, a feature that helped divers track their time underwater. Smartwatches, however, are not diving tools. Despite the “diving watch” aesthetic some smartwatches try to embrace, it often feels like a backwards-looking design choice rather than an innovative one.
A Redundant Interface
As an interface tool, the rotating bezel is redundant. While it lets you scroll through menus, you still need to touch the screen to select anything. Some argue that the bezel is useful when your hands are wet or dirty, but the reality is that it’s not as functional as it seems. You can’t even use physical buttons to navigate, aside from going back to the home screen. If Samsung had allowed the buttons to work for navigation, the rotating bezel would have made much more sense. But as it stands, it’s a flawed design.
Alternatives: The Rotating Crown
Apple’s rotating crown is a much better solution. It’s easy to use with one finger, it doesn’t obstruct the display, and its rotational movement matches the on-screen content. For me, the crown is a better implementation of the same idea. Not only does it feel more intuitive, but it also offers more design flexibility.
Other Issues with the Rotating Bezel
Aside from being bulky and somewhat outdated, the rotating bezel also has durability concerns. As a moving part, it’s prone to wear and tear. It can collect dust and moisture, and over time, users have reported lag, missed steps in navigation, or the bezel becoming wobbly. While the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is still new, these issues could rear their heads in time.
Conclusion
Smartwatches are evolving, and it’s time to move beyond the old-school rotating bezel. While some users still swear by it, I see it as a relic of the past. We should embrace new designs, new interfaces, and more forward-thinking solutions. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic may have its fans, but for me, the rotating bezel is a feature I can live without.